BMA provides free accommodation for mourners
PEOPLE COMING from the provinces to pay their respects to the much-beloved King in Bangkok will no longer have to worry about finding a place to stay.
The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) is providing free accommodation at the Thai-Japan Bangkok Youth Centre and Imjai House.
His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej, who commanded much love and respect from his people, passed away at the age of 89 on October 13. The Royal Household Bureau is now allowing mourners to enter the Grand Palace to prostrate themselves in front of the King’s portrait and sign farewell messages. The Palace has been attracting huge crowds every day, with many mourners coming from the provinces.
“We have already opened our doors to mourners from Udon Thani, Uthai Thani, Nong Khai, Pathum Thani, Chumphon, Phetchabun, Phang Nga, Nakhon Pathom, etc,” Wanida Ruengdet said earlier this week in her capacity as head of social welfare and family support at Imjai House.
Speaking on condition of anonymity, a 30-year-old man from Phitsanulok said the news of free housing had prompted him to immediately head to Bangkok.
“I want to pay tribute to the King, but I had a limited budget. Free accommodation would help me to an extent,” he said.
He arrived at Bangkok on Tuesday morning and immediately headed to the Grand Palace.
“I checked into Imjai House because it’s closer to the Grand Palace,” he said, while thanking the BMA.
Wanida said Imjai House usually housed homeless people or people who had family problems. She added that background checks were also conducted to see if the guests had a communicable disease, faced an arrest warrant or were addicted to drugs.
“But we have now opened our doors to Thais mourning the passing of the King as well. All guests will have to undergo an interview first, as we have to check if they can live with other people peacefully. We want to ensure that they will cause no problems,” she said.
Wanida said guests would only be allowed to stay the night. “They have to check out in the morning, but if they want to return, that’s okay,” she said.
Guests are required to present their national identification card when checking in.
Meanwhile, mourners can also stay overnight at the Thai-Japan Bangkok Youth Centre’s Keelawes 1 Building on Mitmaitri Road in Din Daeng district.
